Claude Giroux is staying in the nation's capital as Philadelphia is unable to sign him and the Maple Leafs weren't able to convince him to jump ship from their rival.
The whole Claude Giroux saga has been an interesting one to say the least. First he was expected to sign with Philadelphia but that washing held up due to Leo Carlsson's offer sheet, then it was reported that Toronto had offered a ton of money and he was waiting things out to see if anyone can outbid them.
However it seems like it was his current team that won out as Giroux is reportedly looking to be headed back to Ottawa.
Giroux chooses Ottawa and it leaves the Maple Leafs without another free agent option
Elliotte Friedman reported on Monday night that Giroux was headed back to Ottawa and though the terms of the deal are still being worked on, this is pretty much a done deal:
Word tonight the Senators remain very much in the Claude Giroux mix. Nothing done yet, though.
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He then followed it up quickly saying Giroux is indeed going to return to Ottawa:
He will return to Ottawa, it is getting done
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Giroux, 38, had 49 points for the Senators last season and has been a key part of their lineup since joining the team three seasons ago. With Brady Tkachuk leaving town, it seems like now the Senators will be looking to Giroux to be that locker room leader as they look for a new captain.
Toronto's second-line plans continue to end in announcements from rival squads
Well, as much as Giroux would have helped Toronto, it seems like anyone they were trying to bring in either didn't work out or left for other teams. Giroux is staying put, Mason Marchment went to San Jose, Boone Jenner went to Washington and even Matias Maccelli found himself a deal.
With so much focus on adding to the bottom-six the first day of free agency, the Maple Leafs may have lost sight a bit of what will get them over the top. They likely could have afforded Giroux however will need to switch gears.
One name they can look at is Patrick Kane, who still; hasn't signed with a team and could be a great top-six piece for the team in addition to being the perfect mentor for Gavin McKenna. He's the rookie's favorite player, and the chance to work alongside him would make an already incredible dream even more surreal for the 18-year-old.
However that isn't a guarantee and if the Maple Leafs aren't careful, they could lose out on yet another top-six option with time slowly running out.
But Giroux found his home in Ottawa and intends to stay there and continue doing what he does best. Play elite defensively, add some great offensive help and completely torch the Toronto Maple Leafs yet again like he has for the last decade and a half.
More details to come.
Are you upset the Maple Leafs missed out on Claude Giroux?
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